This route will take you through the best of what south Iceland has to offer over five days. Having previously visited Iceland before, this route does not include the Golden Circle sights (which I also highly recommend).

Starting and ending in Reykjavik this route will take you through the best natural views that Iceland has to offer. I travelled during early November 2023, and the sunlight hours were short. The sun rose around 9 am, with sun down around 4pm. Bear this in mind when travelling if you don’t like driving in the dark.

This route will take you along the ring road (route one) and along the way you'll hit some of Iceland's best highlights.

Day One: Leaving from Reykjavik

After collecting our car hire and setting off from the city, my husband wanted to stop at the Orkan petrol station on the way out of Reykjavik (it was used in filming of a very popular Icelandic TV Show Næturvakti). I also advise if you want to pick up coffee and some pastries to eat they have a decent selection.

Stop one: Hveragerdi Geothermal Park

47km - 50 minutes

After leaving the city and finally getting into the beautiful countryside, our first stop was Hveragerdi.

It’s a small self-guided park that has a few hot springs, old mud pools and one active geysir. There is a small cafe and there you will have an opportunity to boil an egg in the hot spring, as well as trying some local “lava bread”, traditional bread baked underground.

The fee to the park was small and if you do not have a chance to visit other geothermal parks, then this small one is a good pitstop.

Stop Two: Seljalandsfoss

83km - 1 hour, 10 minutes

This stunning waterfall is a great stop just off of route one, you'll cross the bridge over the Markharfljot river and follow the sign for route 249.

The waterfall drops around 197ft and it’s one of the few waterfalls that you can walk behind. You will get wet from the spray and mist, so dress appropriately (especially with good footwear). There is a relatively easy path up and behind the falls, but it can be quite muddy. Nearby there are other hiking trails to other small waterfalls nearby, including Gljufrabui which is around 500 meters away. There is a small gift shop and toilet facilities at Seljalandfoss.

Entrance is free, however there is a small fee for the car park. (800ISK).

Tip: Wear waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes, you can walk behind the waterfall if you wish .

Stop Three:

Widok Na Myrdasjokull (Solheimajokull glacier tongue).

39km, 36 minutes

If you want to experience the power of nature, make a stop at this glacier. Underneath the ice is the famous active volcano called Katla. It is expected that the volcano will erupt in the future, which will obviously melt the ice above, so see it while you can! (the last eruption was in 1918)

From the carpark, it is a ten minute walk to the viewpoint for the glacier.

The glacier is melting rapidly and you can see a few pieces of blue ice down in the lagoon nearby. I visited here just before sun down so was unable to take a guided hike.

At the carpark there were a few companies who offered tours. One company - Troll Expeditions offer a 3 hour guided hike.

Night One & Two Accommodation:

Skammidalur Cottages, near Vik

We stayed here for two nights, it is just a fifteen minute or so drive into the town of Vik and the famous black beaches area also nearby. I found this place on booking.com. Although they do have a direct website too.

It offered free parking, a small kitchen, free WiFi and the cottage was exceptionally clean.

Day 2: Vik & Black Beaches

Stop 1: Reynisfjara

8.5km, 10 minutes

On our second morning we had an early start so we could head down to the black sand beach. After a short drive from our cottage we headed to Reynisfjara. This beach is world famous, and rightly so. It has huge basalt columns and the wild Atlantic sea roars against the large sea stacks just off the shoreline. This beach is very striking and the white foam of the waves and the black sand is very contrasting.

Safety Tip: Please be aware of the sea conditions, at the entrance to the beach you will see a three light system of red, amber and green. You should abide by the rules and if the light is flashing red then you can’t get onto the beach because it is deemed unsafe.You should also be aware of “sneaker” waves which are huge coastal waves that can suddenly appear in a train of smaller waves. I stupidly got caught out with this and got soaked - you have been warned!

Parking here (2023 prices) was 1000ISk

Stop Two: Vik Town

11km, 12 minutes

From the Reynisfjara to the town of Vik is a short 12 minute drive.

Vik is a stunning town, surrounded by incredible mountain and sea views. The town is small but the surrounding landscapes make it a worthwhile stop. I also recommend stopping here for lunch and to top up on supplies and fuel.

There is a large supermarket and clothing shop, if you do want to pick up some warm woolen items then check out Icewear for some nice knits.

The town has a very striking white and red church perched on top of the hill, drive up to the car park and you’ll rewarded with views across to the sea and you’ll spot the sea stacks. If the weather permits, it’s worthwhile walking up the hill for a better view across the bay.

Nearby to the main shopping area there is another section of beach you can visit at Vikurfjara black sand beach.

Places to Eat in Vik

Skool Beans (Yellow school bus)

The first is a cool old American yellow school bus that has been converted into a unique coffee shop. Skool beans has a good range of hot drinks and cake, and if you’re lucky enough you might spot the well loved resident cat!

Black Crust Pizza

Situated next door to the main supermarket, Black Pizza is a good place for an evening meal or large lunch. Although the pizza itself may not be traditionally Icelandic, it does have a special “volcanic” looking black crust. The sourdough is infused with activated charcoal and they have a range of interesting toppings.

Stop Three: Gigjagja “Yoda Cave”

14km, 15 minutes

Just outside and on the main road out of Vik (eastwards), I recommend a quick stop to the “Yoda Cave”.

The surrounding landscape is almost desert-like, with vast areas black sand large rocks. The road to the cave is gravel, and there were a few potholes so be mindful of that, you can drive practically right up to the entrance of the cave

The best view for Star Wars lovers is from inside the cave, enter insider the cavern and you’ll be in awe of the Yoda shape that has been left by mother nature.

Afterwards, as the sun was going down we worked out way back to the cottage in Vik for the night.

Day Three: Head east towards Hofn

Stop One: Foss à Sidu

83km, 1 hour, 11 minutes

On route we stopped near the main road for a photo opportunity of Foss à Sidu (Waterfall). You can spot the high and impressive falls from the road. We stopped in front of the gate to take a picture, after the gate and the land on which the waterfall is on is private property. However, you can still get a good view from the public car park.

Stop Two:

Veitingasala Restaurant, Shop & Gas

141km, 1 hour, 40 minutes

After a drive, we stopped at the Veitingasala rest stop for a comfort break and to have a gas station hotdog. As you will begin to realise, the cost of food in Iceland is expensive and we found these hotdogs quite reasonable and tasty!

From this stop you'll get amazing mountain views and you can see the Svínafellsjökull Glacier.

Stop Three: Diamond Beach and Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon

191km, 2 hours, 15 minutes

It was then onto my favourite places we visited in all of Iceland - Diamond Beach.

The icebergs, “diamonds” which fill the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon wash up on shore, creating a spectacular contrast with the volcanic black sand.

We were lucky with lighting and the ice was glistening beautifully.

The car park (1000ISK) is a very short walk to the beach.

Alternatively, you can park across the road at the Jokulsarlon main car park and walk over. The second car park will be the departure point if you wish to take a boat trip out on the lagoon.

As you get further into the lagoon you'll start to see the icebergs that have made their way from Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of the famous Vatnajökull (the largest icecap in Europe).

You can see the sheer size of the icecap on any Iceland map. The icebergs are a pure icy white or vibrant deep blue colour and it’s a place you should definitely take your time with, we walked around half way along the lagoon before we lost daylight.

It should be said that don’t attempt to climb on the icebergs, treat these natural wonders like ancient relics, after all the ice from the bergs are over 1000 years old.

If you wish to take a boat trip out on the water, I’ve linked Ice Lagoon Tours.

Night Three Accommodation -

Lilja Guesthouse, Hólabrekka.

For the night we stayed over at the Lilja Guesthouse, the surroundings were beautiful and the skies were very dark. We were lucky enough to spot the northern lights above us. There is a communal terrace area and outdoor seating which was a nice place to stare up in awe at the sky. The hotel also offers a breakfast and dinner.

Once we checked in, it was a short drive to the town of Hofn for some dinner. Hofn was a small fishing village around 29km away. The town has a petrol station and some options for dinner.

Höfn Restaurant recommendation:

We opted for a nice meal at Pakkhús Restaurant which was down at the main harbour. Evening service starts from 4pm and there was vegan and vegetarian options if you aren't into seafood. If you are feeling spendy then they did offer fresh whole lobster on the menu.

I highly recommend the cream of langoustine soup if you want to try something not too big and heavy.

Day Four: Head back to Reykjavik

After an early start at Lilja guesthouse it was time to work our way back to Reykjavik. The route took us back along the same road we took, our intention was to see some of the sights we missed along the way.

One of the main intentions was to see Skogarfoss (waterfall).

On the road between Lilja guest house and Diamond beach we were lucky enough to spot a field with Icelandic horses. There are many of them throughout the countryside, the issue is finding a suitable and safe place to pull over. I'll link the specific google maps coordinates here.

Stop One: Hofskirkja (Turfed Church)

89km, 1 hour, 10 minutes

In all of Iceland there are only six turfed roof churches left - this one is an easy and short detour and I found it so peaceful to visit.

The church walls are made of rock and the roof is made of stone slabs, covered with turf. There has been a record of a church in this location for over 700 years. This particular structure dates back to the 1950's by the National Museum of Iceland and reconsecrated in 1954.

Take the turn off on route one towards Hofsvegur and it will be a five minute drive.

Stop Two: Gönguleið um Eldhraun Lava fields

93km, 1 hour, 10 minutes

As you are driving through South Iceland you will be amazed at the lunar-like landscapes. The mossy green lava fields are vast and there was a good opportunity to stop and see them close up.

There is boarded pathways across the old lava, it is important to stick to the path. The moss growing on top is very fragile and can take years to regrow.

Eldhraun lava fields are the biggest lava flow in the world. It occurred during the famous Laki eruption during the 1700's. The lava fields were used for the Apollo 11 crew trained for their moonwalk. We spent around 15 minutes at this location before moving onto Vik.

There was a small car park just off of route one.

Stop Three: Vik for lunch and Fuel

62km, 47 minutes

After lunch at Black Crust Pizza in Vik and topping up on fuel we felt refreshed and ready to continue west towards Skogarfoss.

If you are an avid car snacker like us then there is a supermarket in Vik that has Icelandic sweets to try!

Stop Four: Skogarfoss

34km, 30 minutes

As you drive along route one you will begin to see the waterfall, it is a very short detour off of the ring road. Stopping to see the waterfall was another highlight on this route. It is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, with an impressive 60 metre drop. This waterfall is special because you can walk right up to it, granted you will get soaked but it’s impressive to see.

Above the waterfall there is a staircase up with a viewing platform if you are feeling brave. For us, we decided just to stay on the ground and marvel at the rainbow appearing in the mist.

Parking at the waterfall is free and there are toilet facilities on site.

Stop Five: Skogar Museum

1.7km, 5 minutes

Very near to the waterfall there is the small and the heritage and folk museum.

Part of the museum is outdoors, with six buildings showcasing the history and housing of the Icelandic people. I loved seeing the turf houses and you can visit inside them to see what life was like.

Whilst you are outside exploring, keep an eye out for the miniature fairy houses tucked away in the corner, Iceland’s folklore is heavily surrounded around fairies and elves.

There is also the technical museum, which showcases the history of industry in the area and folk museum where you can see the national costumes of Iceland.

Entrance fee: 2500ISK

Stop Six: Return to Reykjavik

157km, 2 hours

Since we were running out of daylight, it was sadly time to return to the city for our onward journey home back to Scotland.

On route, there is fuel station in the bigger town of Selfoss.

Things to know:

Car Hire:

It’s good to search on price comparison sites and Skyscanner for the best deal. We collected and dropped off the car at the airport.

We hired the car from Discover Cars, with drop off available at Keflavik airport. One thing that we make sure and do is to purchase extra insurance prior to picking up the car. Usually they will try and up sell you higher insurance.

Car Parking:

Throughout Iceland you frequently have to pay for parking, you should download some parking apps, one of the most popular ones was the Parka App which allows you to pay for parking in the city and around the country. Almost everywhere we visited in Iceland did not accept cash.

Fuel Stations in Iceland:

In my opinion when driving outside of the city you should top up your fuel whenever you see a petrol station. There are a few self service petrol stations and you will need to have a card with a pin number. I don't think we came across any cash based stores.

N1 gas stations seemed to be the most common and our car hire company offered a small discount if we used them.

Driving in Iceland:

We travelled in November and the roads were fortunately for us fine in regards to snow and ice. However, it goes without saying if you are not comfortable in winter conditions then perhaps re-think hiring a car.

One thing to remember is the power of the wind and you should always hold on to your car door when leaving the vehicle.

Another thing to note is when crossing some bridges across the rivers that they were single lane.

5 Day South Iceland Road Trip Itinerary 2024